Jonathan Gannon Matt LaFleur
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Head coach Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are hiring Jonathan Gannon as their next defensive coordinator.
Once NFL free agency began, the Green Bay Packers all of a sudden looked like a new team.
Gone were some notable players from last season on both sides of the ball. But one that everyone knew was coming and prepared for was the departure of backup quarterback Malik Willis.
Willis was not only on the last year of his rookie deal after being traded from the Tennessee Titans, but he also put himself on other teams’ radar after filling in for Jordan Love on occasion over the past two seasons.
Willis signed with the Miami Dolphins not long after the legal tampering period began and will most likely be their starter in 2026. As for the Packers, though, they have still yet to find his replacement.
One potential option just opened up that Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber says would make a lot of sense.
Joshua Dobbs Emerges as Logical Backup Option for Packers
With free agency also comes the release of players so teams can increase their cap space. Former New England Patriots quarterback Joshua Dobbs became one of those casualties, and now he could make sense for Green Bay as a backup option — especially given his connection to defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Dobbs has been a journeyman throughout his six-year career. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, later spending time with the Tennessee Titans before landing with the Arizona Cardinals for eight games in 2023.
It was there he played under Gannon, going 1-7 as a starter before being traded midseason to the Minnesota Vikings, where he finished 2-2. He then spent time with the San Francisco 49ers the following year before ending up with the Patriots last year.
Here’s what Gannon said about Dobbs back in 2023:
“I think he’s played winning football for us since he’s been here,” Gannon said early that season. “I think you guys will continue to see his improvement as he gets more and more comfortable. … He’s making a bunch of plays for us, he’s got good command in the huddle, and he never has any flinch, which I love about him.”
Huber also noted that Dobbs’ time working under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco could create some familiarity with Matt LaFleur’s offensive system in Green Bay.
“Of 52 quarterbacks to throw at least 300 passes during the last three seasons, Dobbs was 44th in passer rating (80.4), 34th in completion percentage (63.5) and 46th in yards per attempt (6.1),” Huber wrote.
Packers Could Explore Multiple QB Options Beyond Joshua Dobbs
Huber’s list went beyond Dobbs, as he also mentioned other free-agent quarterbacks such as Jimmy Garoppolo, Zach Wilson, Easton Stick and Tyrod Taylor.
There were also potential trade options floated.
One involved Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Another centered around Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis.
That scenario involving Levis would be especially interesting — and somewhat familiar — for Green Bay.
The Packers traded with the Titans for Willis back in 2024. Would they consider trying to reinvent another Tennessee quarterback’s career through a similar move?
Levis, a former second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, never quite panned out, going 5-16 as a starter. After Cam Ward was selected No. 1 overall last year, Levis didn’t play a single snap.